 Identify
the location
and approximate size of the bee swarm or hive FROM A SAFE
DISTANCE
-
USE CAUTION.- Remember: Keep
children
and pets away from the swarm or hive.
- Notify
us of the
problem immediately.
- Identify
for us any
possible emergency information such as aggressive behavior, attacks on
people or pets, allergies to bee stings, etc.
- Do
not
spray
the swarm or hive with water or any other substance to move the bees -
this will only aggravate them.
- Always
be alert. Bees
will normally attack only when their nesting area is
disturbed.
Approach potential bee nesting locations (such as mailboxes,
meter
boxes,
thick bushes and debris piles with CAUTION. Watch for
winged
insects flying in and out of openings and listen for the "buzz" or
"hum"
sound of a nearby bee nest.
- Never
tie
or pen pets
and animals near a bee nest or swarm, regardless of how docile they may
seem.
- The
vibration from
machinery may agitate nesting bees. Use extra caution when
using
lawn mowers, weed eaters and powered equipment. This vibration is
offensive to the bees and may provoke an attack.
- Prevent
bees from nesting
in or around your home by sealing cracks and holes in structures under
the eves and by filling all void spaces. Remove debris (such as wood
piles,
old cars and trash) to reduce nesting locations. If ventilation
must
be maintained through a hole, cover it with a fine screen (available at
any hardware or home center store).
- When
working in your
yard or participating in outdoor recreation activities, avoid
wearing
dark clothing, as that is more threatening to bees. Certain
perfumes,
after-shaves, hair sprays, sunscreens, and the smell of freshly mowed
grass
have also been known to provoke bees.
- If you
see
a nest or
swarm of bees, assume they are Africanized Honeybees and LEAVE THEM
ALONE! It is impossible to distinguish Africanized bees from
common honeybees from a distance.
- IF YOU
ACCIDENTALLY
DISTURB A COLONY OF BEES, YOU SHOULD:
- GET
AWAY from
them as QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! If you are being stung, RUN
to a SHELTER if possible. If your vehicle is close, get
back
in your vehicle and roll up the windows. Once inside your
vehicle, DRIVE a
short distance, then STOP and CLEAR any stray
bees
from the interior. If you are not near a vehicle or shelter, RUN
as far and as fast as possible. While running, pulling your shirt
up over your head may help, since bees tend to target the head and eyes.
- DO
NOT try to SWAT
at the bees. Movement of this type will only attract more bees.
- DO
NOT JUMP
into a POOL. It is common for the bees to attack again
when
you surface for air. If you become incapacitated from a bee sting
reaction, you might drown.
- If
you
have been stung, DIAL
9-1-1 once you are safely away from the bees. Bee stingers
may
continue to inject venom for several minutes once they are imbedded in
your skin. While a few stings may not be harmful to most people,
multiple stings can cause a serious health problem. A SINGLE
STING
CAN BE FATAL TO SOMEONE WHO IS ALLERGIC TO IT! Watch for
these
signs of an allergic reaction: local pain, swelling, hives and
especially
difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms,
DIAL
9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY. An ALLERGIC REACTION to bee
stings
can go from mild symptoms to DEATH in a very short
period
of time.
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